With three rivers, disaster waiting to strike Thatyur?
Residents seek remedial measures
Ajay Ramola

Mussoorie, July 23
Thatyur, the block headquarters of the Jaunpur development region, is sitting on a ticking water bomb as the three rivers surrounding it on three sides could turn it into another disaster zone like Kedarnath if remedial measures are not taken urgently by the administration.

Thatyur is situated on the banks of the Aglar river and with two small rivulets also merging into it from the other sides, it is a disaster-prone zone.

Residents of Thatyur market say that the Aglar wrecked havoc in 2010 when six shops were wiped away in the floods and irrigated lands damaged.

Embankments below the market are being eroded continuously even now, instilling fear among the shopkeepers and other residents.

Unplanned road construction resulting in mud debris falling in the Aglar along with the filling of the river bed with stones and other materials brought by the gushing river during the monsoon has aggravated the problem for the residents, who are in the grip of fear.

Akhbeer Singh, genral secretary of the Thatyur Vyapaar Sangh, says that during heavy rains, the three rivers -- Bel Ganga, Aglar and Paligard -- brought mass devastation and if the administration does not act immediately, another disaster was waiting to happen in which the whole market could be affected, bringing more misery for the residents.

He said the residents of the market area had been demanding solid embankments on the river to keep away the fury of the rivers here, but no action had been initiated so far.

The region provides vegetables, pulses etc to nearby towns like Mussoorie and, if destroyed, the suffering could increase manifold.

Govind Singh Negi, another resident of the area, said the town should be either relocated or a strong embankment provided to avoid a disaster.

He alleged that all their pleas to the administration in the past several years for creating a strong embankment or relocation had fallen on deaf ears. 

Several NGOs cashing in on misery of disaster-hit Parodi
Ajay Ramola

Mussoorie, July 23
The residents of Parodi village, who bore the brunt of the disaster that struck the state last month, are angry at the role of some NGOs visiting them in the name of providing relief in Thatyur block of district Tehri Garhwal.

The villagers are of the view that most of the NGOs are arriving in hoards to the village in the name of distributing relief but indulging in just photo sessions to cash in on the opportunity to earn donations in the name of the disaster in Parodi village.

Jaidev Lekhwar, resident of Parodi village, alleged that many NGOs arrive in the village and instead of providing relief to all affected persons pose for pictures with one or two persons with the relief material so that they can cough up extra money from the donors in the name of disaster here.

Another resident of the same village Upendar is of the view that for many NGOs it is just another photo opportunity so that they can go back and persuade the donors to release money for the disaster-affected victims here.

The arrival of a large number of vehicles owned by NGOs is making the residents from other adjacent villagers jittery as the misconception spreads that Parodi village is getting all the help while they are being left out from receiing the disaster relief, said Upendar.

“People from one NGO arrived in a jeep and after giving relief material in the form a few kilos of wheat flour and rice, left in hurry, taking a few pictures of some affected persons here,” said Pramila Devi from Parodi village.

“What we need is a long term sustainable assistance and the technical knowhow on the ways we can relocate the village and live without any fear of losing our houses in the near future, but that assurance is not forthcoming,” said Partima Devi, another disaster-affected person.

The villagers are of the view that the if the NGOs which have visited Parodi are serious about their wellbeing, then they should shift the focus from distributing relief material and trauma care to rehabilitation and restoration of infrastructure, which is the need of the hour instead of merely posing for pictures to show their donors back home. The villagers have also demanded from the administration monitoring the activities of the NGOs visiting the disaster- affected places so that their role can be streamlined accordingly here.

Many feel that a need of a coordination committee to manage the inflow of the NGOs in the area. 

Uttarakhand the challenge ahead
The Tribune series on what needs to be done to rebuild the state
Entire planning process should be streamlined: VK Bahuguna
Jotirmay Thapliyal
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, July 23
Former Director-General of Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education, who has also been a technical expert in National Rainfed Area Authority of Planning Commission, VK Bahuguna, strongly favours restructuring of the entire planning process in Uttarakhand in the aftermath of the rain disaster in the state.

He said a re-thought needs to be given to the ongoing development activities in the state. While asserting that disasters do happen, he said precautions and scientific preventive measures are a must to deal with such disasters and minimise human casualties in future.

Bahuguna is a M.Sc. in Resource Management from Edinburg University and D. Phil. in Forest Ecosystem from Hemwati Nandan Bahuguna Garhwal University. He has been conferred upon several prestigious awards like Commonwealth Forestry Association's Queen's Award (2000), Seth Memorial Prize (1989) and Brandis Memorial Prize (1987). He is presently in the Tripura administration as Principal Secretary in Planning and Coordination Department.

Referring to his visit to Uttarakhand way back in 1999, when he was part of inter-ministerial team of the Union Government in the aftermath of Chamoli landslides, Bahuguna had then even called for a restructuring of the entire planning process and a re-think for the present system of planning for the hills.

''Uttarakhand needs to have scientific planning for execution of projects,'' Bahuguna said.

He said unplanned development was taking its toll on Uttarakhand.

He said unplanned development had choked the drainage systems of the hills.

''Uttarakhand hills receive a good amount of rainfall from June till September and all the rain water needs to be drained out, but instead it gets choked due to unplanned construction of buildings and habitation and road construction work,'' he said.

Bahuguna added that this rain water does not find way and goes into sub surface with landslides as its fallout.

Bahuguna said villages vulnerable to landslides must be shifted.

There have been proposals to shift villages that are prone to disaster and the state authorities must work fast towards rehabilitation of these villages, said Bahuguna.

He said while roads are coming in the Uttarakhand hills in a big way, rampant blasting of hills could be disastrous and taking roads through steep slopes could be dangerous.

''The authorities must go for tunneling instead of going for roads with steep slopes as such roads will always be vulnerable to landslides like disasters,'' he pointed out.

On the recent rain disaster in Uttarakhand, VK Bahuguna said many hilly parts of the country are experiencing excessive rainfall within a few days followed by prolong dry periods.

''This also brings in cloudbursts. We have during our assessment of Forest Types of India during 2012 noticed that though the rainy days in hills in many locations are decreasing by 4 to 5 days but there is an overall increase of 5 
to 10 per cent in the rainfall. Thus, possibility of sudden heavy rainfall is increasing. This situation is critical both from the point of view of ecological stability as well as livelihood of the people,'' he said.

Stressing on proper river training in Himalayan rivers, Bahuguna said gradually large-scale mud, boulders and sand start collecting in the river beds, and these if not removed from the rivers, expand laterally, encroaching on adjoining lands and forests, which is also a major cause of devastation.

He said there is no proper approach on part of the governance to train rivers in Uttarakhand.

Proper exploitation of river beds will help in a win-win situation both for the ecology as well as economy of the state.

But the way illegal sand mining is done, it will naturally invite opposition from several quarters.

''But we call for a check on illegal mining but never focus on importance of training of rivers,'' he said.

A 1979 batch Manipur/Tripura cadre Indian Forest Service officer, Bahuguna, who as technical expert of National Rainfed Agriculture Authority, was instrumental in coming up with Rs 2200 crore Union Environment and Forest Ministry's livelihood project for sixteen states of the country, including Uttarakhand, said creation of livelihood opportunities for disaster-torn people must be done speedily.

''With Char Dham coming to a halt and its resumption nowhere in sight at close quarters, efforts must be taken to improve livelihood opportunities for the people in the disaster-affected districts. Other initiatives include contours farming and plantation improvement to check loosing of soil,'' he said.

Bahuguna also emphasised on unity among political parties towards rebuilding of Uttarakhand. ''All political parties must come together and go for synergy than for criticising each other. No government worth the name can tackle Kedarnath-like catastrophe,'' he said

Bahuguna added that no purpose would be served by criticising the government machinery.

WHAT TO DO

• River training needs to be done as increasing collection of boulders and sands on river beds leads to flooding and other damages.
• Villages vulnerable to landslides must be shifted.
• Rampant blasting of hills for roads could be disastrous.
• Proper exploitation of river beds will help both the ecology as well as economy
• Creation of livelihood opportunities for disaster-torn people must be done speedily.

Uttarakhand hills receive a good amount of rainfall from June till September and all the rain water needs to be drained out, but instead it gets choked due to unplanned construction of buildings and habitation and road construction work. Uttarakhand needs to have scientific planning for execution of projects.
— VK Bahuguna, Ex-DG, Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education

Surprise checks of mid-day meals in schools conducted
Overall standard of food found satisfactory
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, July 23
District Magistrate BVRC Purushottam today gave directions to officials of the district administration and Education Department to make surprise check during preparation of mid-day meals in government schools.

He also instructed Subdivision Magistrates (SDMs) and tehsildars to taste the food themselves and ensure that the food was not cooked in the open and the quality parametres must also be followed.

New SDM, Sadar, Ramji Sharan, made surprise inspection at GGIC School at Lakhbagh and found the quality of rice substandard. He said: “The food was cooked as per fixed menu but rice was of poor quality. Since the school does not have a separate kitchen, it becomes difficult to prepare food during rains.”

He found the same situation in GGIC at Patel Nagar and instructed the school principal to improve upon the quality of food ingredients.

SDM, Rishikesh, in his report said he found the quality of food prepared in all government schools in Rishikesh satisfactory. However, he found one primary school at Telpura Bhogpur Dandi closed. He said that bhojan matas, women cooks, in the schools did not get wages since

April this year. Tehsildar Kalsi also inspected government schools at Haripur and reported the food quality up to the mark. The quality of rice and pulses, preparation according to menu and account in the registers were found properly maintained in schools at Pal Basti, Jolly Grant, Badowala and Government Inter College at Ranipokhri.

Tehsildar, Sadar, and Vikasnagar, too, gave good scoring to government schools at Barhampuri, Mehuwala, Khudbuda and Sealqui in this regard.

The DM instructed the District Supply Officer to ensure that the rice sent to these schools was of good quality so that the health of children did not get adversely affected.

Govt failed to deal with disaster: Khanduri
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, July 23
Former Chief Minister and senior BJP leader BC Khanduri has blamed the state government for inaction in dealing with the natural disaster in the state last month.

"The state government ignored the warnings of heavy rains on June 14 by the meteorology department and failed to respond to the situation while hundreds of helpless pilgrims died in the disaster that struck Kedarnath valley on June 16 and 17,” he alleged.

Talking to mediapersons here today, Khanduri, who returned after a four-day tour of the disaster-affected areas, alleged that after the natural disaster, there was no one to guide the pilgrims as they started running towards the hills.

“Had the state government responded in time, hundreds of lives could have been saved,” he said.

Khanduri alleged that the attitude of the state government was callous as for days it failed to respond to the situation. It was on June 21 that Army and paramilitary forces started rescue operations.

He alleged that natural disasters were common in Uttarakhand but the indifference of the state government to respond to the situation was shocking.

He said despite over a month after the tragedy, there were still many villages in the state where losses were yet to be assessed and affected population was awaiting relief.

Khanduri also blamed the Central Government for not releasing enough funds to the BRO, leading to a poor condition of roads in the state even before the June disaster. He alleged that the Centre had not given a single penny for Uttarakhand roads to the BRO.

The former CM said roads were lifelines for Uttarakhand and without the repair of roads, any relief and rehabilitation work would be impossible. "It is more than 30 days since the tragedy occurred in the state, but all major roads, including the Kedarnath, Badrinath and Gangotri highways, are still closed," he said.

He demanded that the Central Government should give rice and wheat to the disaster-affected people at the lower rates as suggested in the Food Security Bill.

He accused the Centre of providing wheat and rice to Uttarakhand at rates higher than the ones in Uttar Pradesh.

Doctors looking after victims in tents: CMO
Our Correspondent

Pithoragarh, July 23
There is no possibility of the spread of infectious or viral diseases in tent colonies or other temporary sheds made for disaster victims in the district as teams of doctors are keeping a constant watch on them, claimed G.B.Bisht, Chief Medical Officer of Pithoragarh district, here today.

Dr Bisht said a three doctors from Delhi and two from Kolkata had been deputed in the area adjoining Madkot, Dhamigaon, Mawani Dawani, Gharuri, Dharchula and Bangapani where a large number of disaster-hit villagers have been kept.

A local team of doctors, ayurvedic doctors, pharmacists and other staff has also been deputed to watch the health situation of the victims. “We are keeping a vigil on the spread of any viral diseases among the children of the victims,” said the CMO.

A district disaster management office control room official said today army and air force helicopters had taken several sorties and dropped 158 kg of ration to Dharchula, Charchum, Teejam Sirtola and Bangapani. “We have distributed Rs 7,87,76.260 to the victims in the district as disaster relief,” said RS Rana, disaster management officer.

Governor meets Vice-President on natural calamity
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, July 23
Governor Aziz Qureshi met President Pranab Mukherjee and Vice-President Hamid Ansari during his four-day visit to New Delhi recently.

During his meeting with the President at Rashtrapati Bhavan, he apprised him about the situation post natural calamity in Uttarakhand.

He informed him about the manner in which the Army, paramilitary forces and other organisations extended help to the Uttarakhand Government in the rescue and relief operation.

The Governor said he had toured Uttarkashi to take stock of destruction and damage in the affected areas. The Governor also talked about the plans under way for the rehabilitation and reconstruction works and developing Char Dhams in an organised manner.

Qureshi said efforts were under way to ensure that 'puja archana' be restarted at the Kedarnath shrine.

He was also the chief guest at a function organised by an NGO at Teen Murti, where he spoke on the natural disaster in Uttarakhand. “We must maintain a balance between the environment and development to ensure our safety,” he said.

Indian, Nepali armies to hold joint war exercises
Our Correspondent

Pithoragarh, July 23
Indian and Nepalese armies will hold joint war exercises at the Indo-Nepal border in October-November, this year. The joint exercise of the two armies will be held for the second time in two years at the Indo-Nepal border, an Army source said here on the condition of anonymity.

The source said the exercise has a strategic importance, keeping the Chinese build-up across the border adjoining this part of the Himalayas. Nepal has expressed confidence in the capacities of the Indian army, which needs Nepali cooperation in defending this part of the border against Chinese postures.

Some local cultural NGOs say that they have been contacted by Army officers for hiring their services during the exercise to entertain the jawans of both the armies. “Our cultural troupe has been invited by the Indian Army to present cultural programmes for three days in October during the joint exercise,” said Hemraj Singh Bisht, president of the Navodaya Kala Kendra, Pithoragarh.

According to sources, the programme for this joint exercise was finalised one month ago when the officers of Nepali army met their Indian counterparts at the army base on the border. “We presented cultural programmes on that occasion, too," said Bisht.

The Army source said that he had received information only about the exercise and nothing else.

Students force indefinite closure of 2 colleges
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, July 23
Resenting commercialisation of education, two prominent colleges of Dehradun, DAV (PG) College and DBS College, were forcibly closed for an indefinite period by the students today.

Students of both DAV (PG) College and DBS College have joined hands under the ages of Joint Students' Action Committee in opposition to evening courses at the two colleges. The students alleged that such self-financed courses were aimed to make money by the managements of the two colleges.

Dharnas were also organised at the main gates of the two colleges.

The students also pledged to continue with their agitation till the notification for the commencement of self- financed evening courses was annulled.

They also alleged that the college administration was not increasing the seats in general courses but was ready to start evening courses. A signature campaign against evening courses continued for the second day today.

Rakesh Rana, Jitendra Kumar, Mayank Khanduri, Rajendra Singh and Deepak Kumar were prominent among those who staged the dharna outside DAV (PG) College.

Firing on NSUI students: One miscreant held
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, July 23
The Dehradun police today arrested one of the miscreants behind the incident of shooting at two National Students Union of India leaders in Dehradun some time back.

Two NSUI student leaders from DAV (PG) College, Navdeep and Pradeep, were fired upon by some miscreants, supposed to be part of a rival student group, a fortnight back. Acting on a tip-off, Dehradun police today arrested Aman from Inter State Bus Terminus when he was trying to flee from Dehradun.

The police also recovered the motor cycle used in the crime and a countrymade pistol from his possession.

After interrogation on the basis of information provided by Aman, the police also arrested Dilbar Thapa and Sonu Tiwari, who had provided the countrymade pistol to Aman. Dehradun police had already arrested Raman Bisht along with Mohit Rawat a few days back, two other alleged accused in the same case.

NSUI leaders led by Swati Negi have been agitating for quite some, demanding the arrest of all culprits.

Chaos follows suspension of garbage collection work in Doon valley
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, July 23
One-day suspension of garbage collection work in the city by Doon Valley Waste Management Company (DVWM) has led to complete mismanagement after that.

The workers are not coming on time to collect garbage from homes. The sanitary workers can be seen lifting the garbage from large bins on the road sides or in bazaars late at night.

People are complaining of the dustbins overflowing.

Director, DVWM, Sidharth Jain, admitted the shortcomings while saying: “With one-day suspension of garbage collection, the backlog had accumulated so much that we have not been able to reconcile to our routine functioning till date. My workers are working till late night collecting garbage and dumping it into the trenching ground, far from the city.'' He said it would take at least 10 days for normalcy to return.

Given his differences with Mukhya Nagar Adhikari (MNA) Ashok Kumar, Jain had suspended the garbage collection work in the city for one day on July 18. Next day Mayor Vinod Chamoli had mediated a patch-up between both sides.

Ashok Kumar said he was going to bring the issue regarding mismanagemen in garbage collection before the combined committee. He said the ''irregularities'' told by company director to him also got exposed in the expenditure report sent to him.

While showing the report, Kumar said: “According to DVWM company, it spends Rs 22 lakh on the salary of its staff, Rs 12 lakh on petrol/diesel and Rs 6 lakh on other miscellaneous expenditure. The company earns Rs 20 lakh from DMC as tipping fee and Rs 20 lakh as collection fee from consumers. Not only this, it earns Rs 10 lakh more by lifting garbage from outer areas and commercial buildings such as shopping malls, multiplex buildings and other institutes which are not included in the project.”

Kumar said company had exaggerated the number of supervisors, bin-guards and paraphernalia in the report.